David Gilmour, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers and more oppose 'new' Steve Marriott AI recordings
Steve Marriott's children and bandmates oppose the AI release
Last updated 14th May 2024
Rock icons including David Gilmour, Robert Plant, Paul Rodgers and Peter Frampton have backed a campaign by the late-great Steve Marriott’s children and bandmates opposing the release of “new” recordings featuring AI-generated versions of his vocals.
According to an exclusive report in Variety, the AI-generated recordings were given the green light by Toni Marriott, who Steve married two years prior to his death in 1991.
Los Angeles imprint Cleopatra Records has reportedly spoken with the Marriott estate about completing some of his unfinished demos with the aid of AI technology, though the label ultimately plans to release the recordings in their original form “for now.”
Humble Pie founding member, drummer Jerry Shirley, confirmed an attempt by Cleopatra to create a version of 'Georgia on My Mind’ with AI-generated vocals “by” Marriott.
Shirley told Variety the AI recording was “horrible” and “it sounded like someone trying to sound like someone trying to sound like Steve Marriott.”
Along with Shirley, Steve Marriott’s other former bandmates, the Small Faces’ Kenney Jones and Humble Pie’s Peter Frampton, have lent their signatures to a statement from Steve's singer daughter Mollie Marriott and her three siblings voicing their disapproval of the proposed AI release.
Other rockers and music industry figures who have signed the statement include Robert Plant, David Gilmour, Paul Weller, Paul Rodgers, Joe Brown, Bryan Adams, Matt Sorum, Glenn Hughes, Gary Kemp, and Bob Harris.
“The Marriott Estate is due to release an AI solo album of old and new songs of my father, Steve,” Mollie Marriott said. “Sadly, the surviving family which comprises just my siblings Lesley, Toby, Tonya, and I, have nothing to do with the Estate as there was no will. It is run by my stepmother who was only with my father for two years prior to his death and has since been re-married.
“We, along with his bandmates of Humble Pie and Small Faces are looking to stop this album from happening as it would be a stain on my father’s name. Someone who was known as one of the greatest vocalists of our generation, with such a live and raw vocal, it would absolutely break his heart if he were alive to know this. This is only for money, not art nor appreciation.
“It is the start of a campaign I wish to lead against this sort of thing, where deceased artists have no rights and that everything natural in this world is truly dying, including creativity and the arts, as AI comes into play. It’s a sad world to behold.”
Led Zeppelin legend Robert Plant commented: “This is a far cry from what any of us dreamt of when we set off into this wonderful world of music. We just can’t stand by and watch this unfold.”
Chris France, who has been managing director of Marriott’s estate since 1997, said that while “there are no confirmed plans to use Steve Marriott’s voice on AI recordings, that does not mean a deal will not be done with one of several suitors who have made offers…I am afraid that (Mollie Marriott’s) opinions are of no consequence to me or his estate.”
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